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Product Description

When everything is going wrong, should we just try to weather the storm? Or is there something greater in God's vision? Trusted pastor MacDonald speaks from his own rock-bottom experiences in this candid study of God's promises. Using Scripture, memory verses, and personal questions, he'll help you discover what God's showing you through these trials. 224 pages, softcover from Moody.

Publisher's Description

When life is hard, really hard, we often spend all our time pleading, begging, yelling, refusing, and questioning. While none of these things are necessarily unusual, they are missing the ultimate point. When life is hard, when things get ugly, when all hope seems to be lost... that is when we are able to display the superiority of the life lived in God.

It is in those moments of despair, when we question what is happening, when we don't know what to do, when some trials never seem to end, that we can lean most heavily on God's promises and truths.

Working his way through five questions we've all had run through our heads, trusted pastor James MacDonald helps us understand what we should do now. We begin the journey by looking at different types of "trials," figuring out exactly what we're dealing with, and recognizing that God certainly knows. Second, the obvious question: "Why?" God sees us going through trials and we long for two things: for them to be over and to know why they happened in the first place. Next, we need to know what to do with these trials when they come (and they will most certainly come). Fourth, we have all wondered it, can trials be refused? Are God's purposes really being fulfilled in the midst of this trying time? And lastly, God reveals Himself to us through these trials...and sometimes, they just don't ever end. Why doesn't this trial go away?

God told us to expect trials--don't be surprised when they come. Grow when they come. Find hope when they come.

Author Bio

JAMES MACDONALD is the founding and senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Pastor MacDonald has written many books, including Lord, Change My Attitude, When Life is Hard, and Gripped by the Greatness of God. Pastor MacDonald's teaching can be heard on Walk in the Word, a daily radio program heard on outlets across North America. Pastor MacDonald and his wife, Kathy, have three children and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

I read this when I was going through a rough sickness. He made me think I am not the only one and that God has a reason for all this and I know He does cause all things to work together for good to those that love Him. It brought me up out of the despair I was in and put me back on the road to joy and peace even in the middle of my trials. It was so good I just bought it for a friend going through a surgery that was not successful and another friend just read it who is going through depression. It has made us all come back to our Lord and Savior who loves us and will continue to walk with us no matter what we are going through. I will continue to recommend this book.

If you experience a personal crisis, this book will help you understand what God is showing you through this experience. Pastor MacDonald relates Scripture and questions which are very thought-provoking. I've already ordered several books for friends in crisis.

This is an excellent book withso much relevance to a very common situation: difficult times in life. The author explains and illustrates Scripture in a way that very few have done. Such illustrations are enhanced by his quoting personal experiences. The book gives comfort and hope to all. It should be on everyone's bookshelf.

We are using the Study Guide by same title and DVD in our Group Study. Reading the corresponding chapter of the book prior to seeing the DVD and group discussion enhances the study. The book is very well written and one that we can all relate to. We all face times of trial.

This is an excellant study for teenagers to seniors. Everyone is going to face trials in their life and knowing that God is in control and how He desires us to respond to them will help make us better Christians and witnesses to others.